Metro Cinemas will soon be under new management in what should be a boon for Seattle film lovers. Sundance Cinemas, a spin-off of the Sundance Film Festival and one of the leading providers of independent, foreign, art, and documentary films, will take over the 10-screen complex starting May 1.

This won’t be the typical moviegoing experience. All seats at Sundance Cinemas are reserved (i.e. no more showing up early to get the choice spots). There will also be a full bar and bistro lounge with real food (including Peet’s Coffee and Tea) in addition to the classic movie treats. "We’ve been successful because our patrons have embraced this grown-up way to watch a film," said Nancy Klasky Gribler, Sundance Cinema’s VP of marketing.

The plan is to renovate while in operation over the following months. Upgrades will include new projection and sound systems, expanded stadium seating, and a new lounge. There will be no downsizing, as all 10 screens will be kept.

Sundance Cinemas currently has theaters in San Francisco, Madison, and Houston with sites opening soon in Hollywood and Dobbs Ferry, New York. According to Sundance Group President Robert Redford, the addition of a Seattle site helps continue the group’s push to bring a fresh film experience to patrons from coast to coast.

"Finding a home for Sundance Cinemas in Seattle is something I’ve wanted to accomplish since we launched this endeavor, so I’m very pleased about this announcement," said Redford in a statement. "Because independence and personal expression have always been encouraged and embraced here, the city’s overall cultural vitality make this a particularly exciting community collaboration for us."